Need help battling a resistant infection...

[SlickTxMaine]

I have a horse that was injured last August....yes I said last August!  Ran into a tree limb, and yes I know, my husband already told me, "cattle don't do stupid things like that"!  Anyway, after three different vets, and way more bills than the horse is worth, we are still not thru with this.  Basically the first vet stitched up his head with a 3" long piece of limb still lodged back behind his eye.  This stayed in for about 3 months, causing a massive infection before I could convince the vet that something was not right.  After doing a culture I was told he has a resistant infection.  I have tried Penn. injections, Sodium injections,  Vetericyn, Woundade, Betadine washes and other antibiotics.  The wound is better now, but still draining.  He has a dime size hole just above his left eye that continues to drain nasty stuff. I flush the wound 2-3 times a day.  He was back at the vet last week, and the latest vet is out of ideas.  We are trying a ten day dose of both oral antibiotics and penn. injections.  Have been doing this for 5 days now, with no improvement.  Surely some of you cattle gurus have experience with this sort of thing, and have some kind of miracle cure up your sleeve!!  I am desperate for help at this point

 

[dori36]

Did the Vet say which of the antiiotic resistant bugs your horse is carrying?  I understand that a high percentage of horses carry, in their nasal cavities, the resistant MERSA bacteria.  I'd think that if you contact a research/veterinary center near you (do you have one?) with a report from whomever identified the bacteria causing the trouble, they may, at least, be able to shed light on any treatments that might help.  Or to let you know that 'nothing' will help - heaven forbid. 

 

[OH Breeder]

I would find the closest equine vet college or large animal university. I have used Ohio State here in Ohio with LOTS of success. They will have access to cultures and experiences your local vets may not. I am not sure how close or far but it seems to me small investment may be worth it. If there is a foreign body lodge still they can find the best solution to get rid of it.

 

[lightnin4]

If you haven't already, you need to do a culture & sensitivity.  Your vet should be able to pull the sample and send it to an outside lab to get the results.  At this point you don't need to keep throwing more antibiotics at it.  That will just cause more resistance.  Like OH Breeder said, the nearest vet school is probably your best bet for finding a solution.  They will have lots more resources to work with.  Good Luck!

 

[chambero]

Best horse bets in the state are in the Pilot Point/Aubrey area.  Dr. R.A. Dennis and Dr. McCarroll are in my opinion the best if you need an outside opinion and don't mind traveling.

 

[WHLR SIMMENTALS]

Have you tryed using the Excede its for horse's now and we use it alot in the clinic I work in! I would also culture it and send it off and see what it is for sure. Excede is a great antibotic and is a broad secturm medicine!

 

[DL]

You need to get the get the horse to either a vet school or a top notch equine specialty clinic - Ie Haggard McGee, Rood and Riddle etc I don't know where you are so I can't give you specifics

You have absolutely no idea what bacteria (or even perhaps fungus) is growing in your horses head - throwing antibiotics at it without knowing the problem is likely only increasing the number and type of resistant bacteria - there is also the chance that because there was tree in head there could be little pieces of tree remaining - maybe the would needs to be debrided. Do the horse a favor get him to a place where he can properly be diagnosed and treated before he turns into a pin cushion

 

[afhm]

Did you ever try taking him to Brazos Valley Equine Hospital or to TAMU or the Equine division at Elgin Vet Clinic?  Those are some of the best horse vets that are somewhat in your area.